Books Connect Us

On today’s season finale we welcome the delightful Emily Henry, author of bestsellers Beach Read, Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation and, most recently the #1 NYT Bestselling Happy Place. Alyssa and Emily vibe out talking about romcom inspiration, fancasting, the ways art informs life (and vice versa), writing complex, imperfect love interests, and how underrated the state of Michigan is. Emily’s new book, Happy Place (available now) and is your perfect summer reading companion. 

You can find Emily at www.emilyhenrybooks.com | Instagram: @emilyhenrywrites  | Newsletter: https://emilyhenry.substack.com/ 
You can read Emily’s Vulture profile here: https://www.vulture.com/article/emily-henry-romance-novel-profile.html 

Thank you for joining us this season! We’ll be back soon with more episodes soon. 

BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE: 

Happy Place by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704944/happy-place-by-emily-henry/ 

Beach Read by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608898/beach-read-by-emily-henry/ 

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608899/people-we-meet-on-vacation-by-emily-henry/ 

Book Lovers by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670293/book-lovers-by-emily-henry/ 

Jasmine Guillory novels: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2149662/jasmine-guillory/ 

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/577211/daisy-jones-and-the-six-tv-tie-in-edition-by-taylor-jenkins-reid/ 

The Daydreams by Laura Hankins: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691125/the-daydreams-by-laura-hankin/ 

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler 

Subscribe and Listen! 

Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301 

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959 

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935 

Criminal Types: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminal-types/id1681638565

Happy Pride from Books Connect Us! In honor of Pride, today’s guest is Haley Jakobson, author of the astute and funny bisexual debut Old Enough, on sale June 20. Carolina chats with Haley about all things identity: finding ourselves while we’re still “hurtling towards the person we’re becoming,” utilizing language and harnessing stories to explore our many-faceted, intersectional selves, writing and using art and words to explore the stickier parts of reality. 

You can find Haley at www.haleyjakobson.com Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @haleyjakobson 

BOOKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: 

Old Enough by Haley Jakobson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/719001/old-enough-by-haley-jakobson/ 

Marlena by Julie Buntin Yolk, Permanent Record and Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi 

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston 

Luster by Raven Leilani Sirens 

Muses by Antonia Angress: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690759/sirens-and-muses-by-antonia-angress/ 

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690750/tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-by-gabrielle-zevin/ 

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

Join us for a super-fun, laugh-out-loud Summer Reading Picks episode! Carolina and Alyssa talk: books they love, books they can’t wait to read, horror movies, celebs they went to high school with, tips for writing, finding inspiration and reading al fresco.

 CAROLINA RECOMMENDS: 

Natural Beauty by Ling Ling: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/718580/natural-beauty-by-ling-ling-huang/ 

Homegoing by Yah Gyasi: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/533857/homegoing-by-yaa-gyasi/ 

Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/57953/dreaming-in-cuban-by-cristina-garcia/ 

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett 
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669846/giovannis-room-by-james-baldwin/ 

ALYSSA RECOMMENDS: 

Happy Place by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704944/happy-place-by-emily-henry/ 

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/702704/pineapple-street-by-jenny-jackson/  

Say Nothing: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/90837/say-nothing-by-patrick-radden-keefe/ 

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678943/the-marriage-portrait-by-maggie-ofarrell/ 

Persuasion by Jane Austen: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/286398/persuasion-by-jane-austen-edited-with-an-introduction-and-notes-by-gillian-beer-cover-illustrated-by-coralie-bickford-smith/

Subscribe and Listen! 
Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301 

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959 

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935 

Criminal Types: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminal-types/id1681638565

On a very exciting episode of BOOKS CONNECT US, Carolina and Alyssa host their first Roundtable. Joined by Amanda Elliot (author of Sadie on a Plate and Best Served Hot) and Kosoko Jackson (author of I’m So Not Over You and Dash of Salt and Pepper), this roundtable’s theme is romance! We discuss: what it takes to craft romance -- from chemistry to characters, how the industry has grown to be more inclusive, and how author identity often plays out on the page. Stay tuned for the recap after!

 You can find Amanda at www.amandapanitch.com Instagram and Twitter: @amandapanitch 

You can find Kosoko at www.kosokojackson.com Instagram and Twitter: @kosokojackson 

BOOKS (and authors) MENTIONED IN TODAYS EPISODE: 

Books by Amanda: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2243903/amanda-elliot 
Books by Kosoko: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2241956/kosoko-jackson/ 

Well Met by Jen DeLuca: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/606854/well-met-by-jen-deluca/ 

Beverly Jenkins 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

Red, White and Royal Blue bu Casey McQuiston 

Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/306512/emily-henry/ 

Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez Meredith Schorr Jean Meltzer 

Rachel Lynn Solomon 

Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711068/stone-cold-fox-by-rachel-koller-croft/ 

EXe’s and O’s — Amy Lea — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/673410/exes-and-os-by-amy-lea/ 

The Manor House Governess by CA Castle — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/730683/the-manor-house-governess-by-c-a-castle/ 

The Neighbor Favor by Kristine Forest: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/708466/the-neighbor-favor-by-kristina-forest/ 

Subscribe and Listen! 
Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301 

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959 

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935 

Criminal Types: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminal-types/id1681638565

Today on the podcast, Carolina and Alyssa interview Chrissy King, author of THE BODY LIBERATION PROJECT, about the way our intersecting identities impact our body image, how and why body and beauty standards are rooted in racism and how we can overcome it all to liberate ourselves and bodies. Chrissy also tells us how she landed a book deal and how she cultivates her brand and platform. 
You can find Chrissy at www.chrissyking.com | Instagram, TikTok and Twitter: @iamchrissyking 

Books Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 
The Body Liberation Project: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704696/the-body-liberation-project-by-chrissy-king/ 

Fearing the Black Body by Dr. Sabrina Strings Me and white Supremacy by Layla Saad 

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690750/tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-by-gabrielle-zevin/ 

It’s Always Been Ours by Jessica Wilson 

Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301 

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959 

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

Today on BOOKS CONNECT US, Lisa Lucas, SVP and Publisher of Pantheon talks about motherhood and mental health with Szilvia Molnar, author of The Nursery. The two share a thought-provoking conversation about the rawness and realness of becoming a mother, and ask the question — does the world make space for new moms? Be sure to stick around for Carolina and Alyssa’s recap at the end. 

You can find Szilvia at http://www.szilviamolnar.com/ 
Instagram & Twitter: @szilmolnar 


Books in today’s episode: THE NURSERY by Szilvia Molnar: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705245/the-nursery-by-szilvia-molnar/ 

Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301 

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959 

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

On today’s episode, we talk to National Book Award finalist Sarah Thankam Mathews about her debut novel, ALL THIS COULD BE DIFFERENT, a warm, dazzling, and profound saga of queer love, friendship, work, and precarity in twenty-first century America. Carolina talks to Sarah about the political engine that drives the book, the shared nuances of the brown queer experience, and the craft elements that bring multi-dimensional stories to life. 

You can find Sarah at www.smathewss.com | Instagram & Twitter: @smathewss 

Books mentioned in today's episode: 

All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Matthews: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691034/all-this-could-be-different-by-sarah-thankam-mathews/ 

Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid Open City by Teju Cole: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/29908/open-city-by-teju-cole/ 

Blue Skinned Gods by SJ Sindu: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/668119/blue-skinned-gods-by-sj-sindu/ 

Sea Change Gina Chung Hope Andrew Ridker: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/712970/hope-by-andrew-ridker/ 

Subscribe and follow for more author interviews and book-related content: 
Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301 

The Taste Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959 

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

This week on BOOKS CONNECT US, we welcome Dani Shapiro, author of eleven books , most recently Signal Fires, which won the National Jewish Books Award and Inheritance, which was a New York Times Bestseller. Alyssa and Dani go deep, discussing the intersection of memory and imagination while writing, the importance of self-identity and ancestry in storytelling and the ways in which family — both biological and found — can inform our writing styles and choices. 

You can find all of Dani’s books at DaniShapiro.com | Instagram: @daniwriter | Twitter: DaniJShapiro 

Books mentioned in today’s episode: Inheritance by Dani Shapiro: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/554262/inheritance-by-dani-shapiro/ 

Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706864/signal-fires-by-dani-shapiro/ 

In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/SLT/in-search-of-lost-time 

Praying with Jane Eyre by Vanessa Zoltan: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/623433/praying-with-jane-eyre-by-vanessa-zoltan/ 

Fellowship point by Alice Elliot Dark Monogamy by Sue Miller

This episode, we welcome Lakiesha Carr and her Knopf editor, Maria Goldverg. Lakeisha is the author of AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SKIN, a profound and tender look at Black womanhood. Maria and Lakiesha discuss the intimacy required to write fiction, the importance of intergenerational connections, and the ways in which we insert ourselves into our art. You can find Lakeisha at www.lakieshacarr.com 

Subscribe and follow for more author interviews and book-related content: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301 

An Autobiography of Skin by Lakiesha Carr: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/696553/an-autobiography-of-skin-by-lakiesha-carr/ 

Books by Gayle Jones: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/61474/gayl-jones 

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/117662/the-bluest-eye-by-toni-morrison/

This episode, we welcome Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of the unforgettable and deeply profound TAKE MY HAND, which won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction. Carolina talks to Dolen about her writing and research process, the true-life inspiration behind TAKE MY HAND and the immense importance of historical fiction.  Alyssa and Carolina recap at the end, unpacking this powerful interview.

You can find Dolen at www.dolenperkinsvaldez.com | Instagram: @dolenperkinsvaldez | Twitter: @dolen

Subscribe and follow for more author interviews and book-related content: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301

Books In Today’s Show:

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676198/take-my-hand-by-dolen-perkins-valdez/

The Days of Afrekete by Asali Solomon: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/692739/the-days-of-afrekete-by-asali-solomon/

In today’s episode, we talk to Eleanor Shearer, author of the gripping and beautiful RIVER SING ME HOME, which was a GMA Book Club Pick. Carolina chats with Eleanor about finding time for creative writing (especially within the confines of a day job), traveling to the Caribbean for her novel and unraveling the complicated tapestries of our identities, homes and families. Be sure to stick around for Carolina and Alyssa’s recap at the end.   

Subscribe and follow for more author interviews and book-related content: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301 

You can find Eleanor at https://www.eleanorshearer.com/ | Instagram: @eleanorbshearer | Twitter: @ellieshearer   

Books In Today’s Show: River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/713326/river-sing-me-home-by-eleanor-shearer/ 

Augustown by Ken Miller: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/546645/augustown-by-kei-miller/ 

The Human Origins of Beatrice Potter and Other Essential Ghosts by Soraya Palmer: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/719646/the-human-origins-of-beatrice-porter-and-other-essential-ghosts-by-soraya-palmer/ 

Subscribe and follow for more author interviews and book-related content: 

Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301 

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959 

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

Today, we talk to NYT Bestselling and James Beard Award-winning author of The Korean Vegan Cookbook , Joanne Lee Molinaro. Alyssa chats with Joanne about representation, the writing and publishing process, family stories and how they seep into our writing, and much more! Be sure to stick around for Carolina and Alyssa’s recap at the end.

You can find Joanne at https://thekoreanvegan.com/

TikTok: @thekoreanvegan | Instagram @thekoreanvegan | Twitter @thekoreanvegan

Books In Today’s Show:

The Korean Vegan Cookbook by Joanne Lee Molinaro: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/609610/the-korean-vegan-cookbook-by-joanne-lee-molinaro/

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/300526/the-joy-luck-club-by-amy-tan/

BReD: Sourdough Loaves, Small Breads, and Other Plant-Based Baking

By Ed Tatton with Natasha Tatton: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704090/bred-by-ed-tatton-with-natasha-tatton/

Subscribe and follow for more author interviews and book-related content:

Books Connect Us:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301

The Taste Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

In today’s episode, get to know Alyssa Adler and Carolina Meurkens,  the new hosts of BOOKS CONNECT US! We chat about what’s in store for the new season, how authors portray their origin stories and have fun laughing about what books inspired us growing up (and as adults). All new season of author interviews start Wednesday, April 5!

Books In Today’s Show:
Alyssa's Favorites: 

Starring Sally J Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/15148/starring-sally-j-freedman-as-herself-by-judy-blume/

Educated by Tara Westover: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/550168/educated-by-tara-westover/

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/576782/the-vanishing-half-by-brit-bennett/

Fleishman Is In Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/573460/fleishman-is-in-trouble-by-taffy-brodesser-akner/

Bras & Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/115700/bras-and-broomsticks-by-sarah-mlynowski/

Carolina’s Favorites:

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/286551/tales-of-a-fourth-grade-nothing-by-judy-blume/

This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/289020/this-is-how-you-lose-her-by-junot-diaz/

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/289021/the-brief-wondrous-life-of-oscar-wao-by-junot-diaz/

All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691034/all-this-could-be-different-by-sarah-thankam-mathews/

This brand new season of BOOKS CONNECT US  will keep you connected with the authors and stories that inspire you, and bring you the inside scoop on “the story behind the story”. Join hosts Alyssa Adler and Carolina Meurkens in conversation with diverse authors, as they discuss how identity impacts writing, the inspiration behind their books, and how storytelling can change the world.

New episodes drop right here starting next Monday April 3rd!

The new book EMPIRELAND is an illuminating tour through the hidden legacies and modern realities of British empire that exposes how much of the present-day United Kingdom is actually rooted in its colonial past. In accessible, witty prose, award-winning journalist and best-selling author Sathnam Sanghera traces this legacy back to its source, exposing how—in both profound and innocuous ways—imperial domination has shaped the United Kingdom we know today.  EMPIRELAND boldly makes the case that in order to understand America, we must first understand British imperialism. Now let's join author Sathnam Sanghera in conversation with his editor Lisa Lucas.

George R. R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including those of the acclaimed series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, upon which the iconic HBO series GAME OF THRONES is based. FIRE & BLOOD is his thrilling history of the Targaryans, which is the inspiration for the new HBO series HOUSE OF THE DRAGON. On today's episode fellow author David Anthony Durham talks with George R.R. Martin about his legendary books, his thoughts on the full season of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, and takes George through a game of Westeros-themed "Would You Rather." 

George Saunders is the author of nine books, including the novel LINCOLN IN THE BARDO, which won the Man Booker Prize, and the brand-new short story collection LIBERATION DAY. On today's episode George is in conversation with Matt Rodbard, host of the popular food culture show THE TASTE PODCAST. They discussed Chicago pizza, Santa Cruz coffee, lunch in Texas oil fields, and food of the future. It's a fun, wide-ranging discussion. You can also subscribe to THE TASTE PODCAST right on this very platform. Now enjoy Matt Rodbard in conversation with the author George Saunders.

Sarah Thankam Mathews is a recipient of fellowships from the Asian American Writers’ Workshop and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and her work has been published in Best American Short Stories. ALL THIS COULD BE DIFFERENT is her electrifying novel of a young immigrant building a life for herself—a warm, dazzling, and profound saga of queer love, friendship, work, and precarity in twenty-first century America. Now let's join Penguin's own Carolina Meurkens in conversation with Sarah Thankam Mathews.

Clancy Martin is the acclaimed author of the novel HOW TO SELL, numerous books on philosophy, and the viral essay, “I’m Still Here.” He is the survivor of more than ten suicide attempts and a recovering alcoholic. His new book HOW NOT TO KILL YOURSELF is an intimate, insightful, at times even humorous exploration of why the thought of death is so compulsive for some while demonstrating that there’s always another solution. Now let's join editor Denise Oswald in conversation with author Clancy Martin.

Ali Hazelwood is the New York Times bestselling author of THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS, as well as the writer of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever-after is not always happy. Her new romance novel LOVE ON THE BRAIN revolves around a scientist who is forced to work on a project with her nemesis—with explosive results. 

Here's Erin Leafe, co-host of the romance podcast LEARNING THE TROPES, in conversation with author Ali Hazelwood.